I invested in a fairly long HDMI cable to go from my video card to a tv on the other side of the room. Im currently using the DVI->HDMI dongle that came with my video card. It works, but something just doesn't look right. It's almost as if the range of colors has been significantly reduced, and the edges of everything on the desktop are very jagged.

I've seen the same result when I hooked my computer monitor up using the dongle and HDMI cable. Do you think this is just a crappy adapter, or do I need to configure some settings in the video card to compensate for the presence of the adapter?

I have an ATI Radeon 4870

8/15/2009 8:16:08 PM

The adapter shouldn't matter at all. I'm doing the exact same thing with my nVidia card. Just make sure the resolution for that particular connection is set at the native rez of your TV. Not familiar with ATI's config software, but I know with nVidia's, you just tell it what resolution you want (480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i, or 1080p) and it does the rest.

8/15/2009 8:39:38 PM

Yea it almost looks like someone has set the color to 16 bit or something. I guess if I'm getting the same results on the pc monitor, it may be an issue with the adapter. I may try to go pick up a decent one at intrex or something.

8/15/2009 9:11:40 PM

I still doubt the adapter is the problem. There should be color settings in the software too. I know I can adjust the gamma and saturation and whatnot on the computer, which really makes it look terrible if overdone.

8/16/2009 12:25:40 PM

DVI and HDMI are the same signal, thats why its so easy to convert them. If its looking crappy either your connectors suck or your vid card is crapping out on you. How long is the cable? Im not sure on specs for length on them but the signal may be fading before it gets there if its really long.

8/16/2009 12:59:02 PM

http://www.bluejeanscable.com/articles/how-long-can-hdmi-run.htm

8/16/2009 1:09:59 PM

The issue disappears if I use a straight dvi to HDMI cable and not the adapter.

I see the same results using the adapter on both the computer monitor and HDTV. It almost looks as if you are watching someones streamed desktop over WebEx or something....blocky, colors are messed up, and jagged edges on everything.

8/16/2009 2:18:32 PM

Process of elimination: 1. The issue disappears if I use a straight dvi to HDMI cable and not the adapter. 2. Switch out the adapter with a new one and report back your findings.

8/17/2009 11:25:42 AM

i think it's obvious it's your adapter....

[Edited on August 17, 2009 at 11:52 AM. Reason : s]

8/17/2009 11:51:20 AM

adapter.

8/17/2009 12:28:27 PM

Based on facts presented here, I, too, now believe the problem is your adapter.

8/17/2009 2:11:20 PM

my 4870 came with a special yellow adapter for the port that is able to be converted to hdmi - are you using that yellow adapter on the yellow DVI port, or some other one you had on hand?

8/17/2009 2:15:08 PM